BOC visits vendors of imported cars

MANILA, Philippines - Agents of the Bureau of Customs (BOC) have stepped up the campaign against smuggled cars and inspection teams have been visiting car dealers selling imported vehicles to ensure that the papers of all their cars are in order.

In a statement, the BOC said that they have begun their crackdown on automobile dealers selling imported vehicles to address reports that some dealers are engaged in car smuggling.

Personnel from the BOC-Enforcement Group and Customs police recently visited two car dealers in Makati last Aug. 27.

Some 39 imported vehicles were checked at the Buendia Car Exchange and the 387 Auto Center, both along Jupiter Street in Bel-Air, Makati for proof of payment of duties and taxes, Certificate of Registration with the Land Transportation Office (LTO) and other documents.

The imported vehicles inspected include Audi, Lexus, Mercedes Benz and BMW sedans; Hummer and Range Rover SUVs; as well as Porsche and Corvette sport cars.

“While all 39 vehicles our teams inspected in Makati checked out and yielded no negative findings, we will continue to exercise the visitorial powers of the bureau to ensure that auto dealers and traders are complying with the law and are not fencing smuggled cars,” said Customs Deputy Commissioner Ariel Nepomuceno.

The inspection of dealers of imported vehicles stemmed from Department Order (DO) No. 32-2014 issued by the Department of Finance (DOF) in May 2014 that required car exchanges, garages, auto traders and other similar establishments to present proof that duties and taxes have been paid on the imported vehicles.

The DO also directed the BOC to seize the imported vehicle if the dealers fail to show proof of payment of duties and taxes.

Sections 2536 and 2208 of the Tariff and Customs Code of the Philippines (TCCP) empowers the BOC to inspect imported goods outside the ports, to include warehouses and retail establishments, with prior authorization from the Commissioner of Customs, and to seize items that are clearly smuggled.